Scarriff

Scarriff is a market town built on a hill in East Clare and which has grown from the shores of Lough Derg and the Graney River. The Scariff River runs through the town and gently winds its way from Scariff Harbour to Lough Derg.

Origin of word: Scariff takes its name from the Irish ‘An Scairbh’ which means 'A Rocky Ford'.

Scarriff was chosen as the location for the regional headquarters of Waterways Ireland, a body which manages, maintains and develops Ireland’s inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes. The redevelopment of Scarriff Harbour by Waterways Ireland is helping to establish the area as an important centre on Ireland’s waterways.

The Scarriff River and Ducey’s Pier are very attractive for anglers. The harbour boasts a top-class marina facility for pleasure boats and sailing people and other water recreation enthusiasts. It is also the focus of the annual Scariff Harbour Festival, held over the August bank holiday weekend. There are many walkways and rest areas along the river side, while cruises on the water are a popular choice for visitors. Scarriff has many amenities you may need, including post office, library, shops, doctor and Garda station. There is also a new state of the art playground located on the Feakle Road as you leave Scarriff village.

Scariff is also home to the country’s longest-running drama festival – the week-long East Clare Drama Festival held every March/April.